Nesting of the Kentucky Warbler ( Oporornis formosa) in 
Ohio. — Although the Kentucky Warbler has long been a well-known 
summer resident of Southwestern Ohio, its nest and eggs have hitherto 
eluded the vigilant search of our local ornithologists, and have, in con- 
sequence, been classed among their especial desiderata. As the nesting 
habits of this species have been recorded in but a few instances, and only 
once in Ohio,* a notice of a nest and eggs recently taken near Madisonville 
may be of interest to readers of the Bulletin. 
The locality chosen for this nest was a gentle slope, well wooded and 
covered with undergrowth, situated within a short distance of a small 
woodland stream on the border of an open glade. The nest, which was 
placed on the ground at the root of a small elm sapling, was concealed by 
a sparse growth of weeds, and consisted of two distinct portions. The 
foundation was a saucer-shaped mass of beech and maple leaves loosely 
interwoven with a few weed stems, and retained its shape sufficiently well 
to permit careful handling without injury ; surmounting this basal portion 
was the nest proper, a rather bulky and inelegant structure, elliptical in 
shape, composed of dark-brown rootlets and weed stems, with which were 
interwoven a few dried leaves. There was also a trace of an effort at 
horse-hair lining, a half-dozen hairs perhaps being disposed around its 
interior. Its measurements are as follows: — Internal long diameter, 2j, 
inches; internal short diameter, 2 inches; depth of cavity, \\ inches; 
average thickness of nest proper, about £ inch ; ditto of foundation, about 
1 inch. The eggs, which are four in number (exclusive of the Cowbird’s 
egg which accompanies them), are oblong-oval in shape, spotted and 
speckled everywhere with reddish-brown and lilac on a glossy white 
ground, the markings on two specimens being massed at the larger end, 
while those on the other two form a distinct “ wreath ” around the rather 
blunt apex. They were far advanced in incubation (May 28th), and 
measure, respectively, .72 X .54, .73 X .56, .75 X .56, .73 X .55. Their 
identification was perfectly satisfactory, the female being secured instantly 
after being driven from the nest. — Frank W. Langdon, Madisonville, 
Hamilton Co., Ohio. 
By Dr. J. P. Kirtland. I am unable to refer to the original record at 
present ; it is mentioned incidentally, however, by Dr. Brewer, in Hist. N. Am. 
Birds, Yol. I, p. 293. 
Bull, N.O.Q. 4, Oct., 1879, p. JJC-237 
Obs. on Summer Birds of Mountain 
Bora. Pickuas Oo, #.C. L. M, Loomis, 
6i. Geothlypis formosa. Kentucky WarulisR.— Indifferent to eleva- 
tion, these Warblers are everywhere abundant in the wooded hollows, 
coves, and ravines; these shady retreats constituting their true haunts, 
though during the cooler hours of the day individuals stray from the near 
proximity of the water courses to the sunny slopes of the adjacent hill- 
sides. During the height of the season they have few rivals in persistency 
of song, but as June advances, and the young begin to be abroad, they 
sing with rather less frequency, though not with less force and spirit. 
Besides their loud chant, so commonly uttered, I think they have a second 
and more pleasing song, but of this I cannot speak with certainty, as I 
never succeeded in detecting one in the act of singing, for the song was 
repeated only at rare intervals, and always in the seclusion of the rhodo- 
dendrons, but each attempt to discover the author invariably developed a 
Kentucky Warbler in the spot whence the sound had issued. When 
their haunts are invaded, they resent intrusion with loud querulous 
chirps -which are as distinctive as their song notes. Though of retiring 
disposition, especially early in the season, when their young are hatched 
they often challenge observation by exhibiting themselves with boldness. 
The first bird of the year was shot June 20 . 
Auk, VII. April, 1800. p. 129. 
